SR20 headaches

[Ignacius_Rebenga]

What's up nico, I'm pretty much a noob on this site. I've owned an 89 240 hatch for over a year now, and I did the SR20 swap and went through alot of issues cause I didnt know what I was doing. Now its looking a bit better but I still have 2 issues:

1) I'd love to get a koyo rad and some flexalite fans, but I want a cheaper alternative to both, right now I have stock KA rad and a big slim fan but my rad is leaking. Any suggestions?

2) My RPM doesnt work, I know its because the 89 models were SOHC, and the gauge cant read DOHC, but I purchased a japanese cluster, plugged it in, and the RPM still doesnt work, So I'm thinking maybe it's something with the harness? Any Ideas?

Thanks

[homeslicej2]

Hi and welcome to nico

1) get a mishimoto rad or a Koyo essential (copper like stock instead of alum) and used altima fans (~$50-60). There are several threads that discuss how-to install them, though there still seems to be some issues about how to wire up the high/low speeds.

2) you plugged in only the JDM RPM gauge from the cluster correct? Not the entire cluster (otherwise your speedo won't work). You should use the USDM cluster with the JDM or USDM DOHC RPM gauge. Also, make sure you installed the speed sensor from the USDM KA transmission onto the SR trans.

[nzmoman]

Welcome to NICO

There are cheap new alternatives for electric fans and radiators and there are used even cheaper alternatives. You need to know what your driving conditions are going to be when selecting one. If you are running your car hard then I would recommend dual fans and the thickest aluminum or copper radiator you can get. If you are just DD'ing and having random moments of spirited driving then you can get away with a factory SR radiator (provided that it is less than 50 buck...anything more and you should just upgrade)

As far as fans its kind of the same thing. I dont race so i just run a single 14" electric fan with a copper SR radiator.

if I was building a car to beat on (drifting, autox, drag, etc) then I would definitely go for a dual unit.

Ebay is your friend and has everything you would need. just be sure to make sure the radiator is warrantied against cracks and leaks and that the fan motors are warrantied as well.

I hope this helped.

[Hijacker]

Make sure you wired the tachsignal at the dash connector prperly. It's Yellow/Red

[Ignacius_Rebenga]

Thanks alot guys, well for right now I just need something that works fine, so that copper rad and some twin slim fans sound good for now, cause I do plan on beating on the car in the future, so when that time comes I'd have to get an aluminum one.

The gauge I bought and tried to use was a JDM one off a silvia, the KM/H worked just fine.

The one I have on now is the stock single cam KA one, and the MPH works fine too. But I didnt know I could switch out the gauges like that, I thought I could only swap out faces. I heard the DOHC KA gauge would work just fine, is this true?

One more thing, the temperature needle on the cluster seems to take a while to rise towards the middle, could that be a thermostat issue?

Thanks guys, I know I could just use the search bar but I wanted some direct answers

[boro drift]

I removed the tach from the jdm cluster and installed it in my usdm cluster. It's an easy job. And like hijacker said, check that the yellow and red wire is connected.

[Ignacius_Rebenga]

Okay, cool, I'll check that. This time I'll just remove the whole steering wheel cause it's a pain in the *** trying to twist that bezel out from behind it

[boro drift]

Unbolt the steering column and let the steering wheel rest in the seat.

[Ignacius_Rebenga]

That easy? no ****! Ill go at it tomorrow. THanks bro